CD: Four O' Clock and Hysteria

Alan Morse's Solo Debut Flies Beyond Prog-rock and Allows His Talents to Shine

ALAN MORSE
Four O' Clock And Hysteria
(Inside Out Music)

Guitarist Alan Morse is almost exclusively known for his day job as a founding member, along with his brother Neal, of neo-prog legends Spock's Beard. Over the past 15 years, Spock's Beard has risen to the top of the modern prog world, the band's ever-evolving sound splashed across nine studio albums and half-a-dozen live sets. Nothing if not prolific, Spock's Beard has helped define prog-rock for a generation of fans, and Alan Morse's nimble fretwork and creative talents are a major element of the band's trademark sound.

Through the years, however, Morse had never found the time or inclination to record a solo album. Our loss, really, because as a player Morse is perhaps one of the most underrated axemen in the world of rock music, no doubt overlooked by the critical intelligentsia because of his "progressive" background. No matter, really, because Morse's first solo album - Four O' Clock And Hysteria - has arrived, and guitar fans everywhere are going to have to sit up and take notice. If you're impressed by the likes of Jeff Beck, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert or Joe Satriani, then you're going to kick your own ass 'til it turns blue when that snot-nosed little punk from down the street - the one with the black-dyed hair and nose-ring - THROWS Alan Morse's solo debut in your face!